All 54 (Soon To Be 56) Starting Super Bowl Quarterbacks Ranked

On Super Bowl Sunday, Colin Kaepernick and Joe Flacco will become the 55th and 56th quarterbacks to start at the ultimate position in sports on the ultimate stage in all of American sports.

History will tell on Sunday, and in years to come, the place Kaepernick and Flacco will have in history. Super Bowl 47 may prove to be the lone shot at glory or the springboard to a legendary career that ultimately winds up in Canton.

But how do the previous 54 rank? Well, here is my list. As a starting point in compiling the rankings, I award one point for a Super Bowl start and three points per Super Bowl win – although I do make exceptions in the course of determining this rank.

Few remember that the Bears actually fumbled on the very first play from scrimmage, giving New England a golden opportunity to jump out to a 7-0 lead on a short field.

Eason’s first pass was out to the flat to tight end Lin Dawson (now the AD at Grambling State University), who blew out his knee before he could make a play. Five more incompletions,a fumble, and three sacks later, Eason was replaced by veteran Steve Grogan, who was respectable (17-30, 177 yards) under the circumstances.

And if Eason had gotten the Pats in the end zone on that first drive?? They probably would have lost 46-14.

Has a unique place in history as one of two QBs to start Super Bowls for two different teams – the Cowboys in Super Bowl V and then with the Broncos against the Cowboys seven years later.

Both were forgettable. Morton was 12-26 for 127 yards and three INTs in Dallas’ loss to the Colts in Miami. Super Bowl XII wound up being even worse, as Morton would suffer as much of a beating as Tony Eason did eight years later and finished 4-15 for 39 yards and four INT’s before yielding to backup Norris Weese, who did not fare much better.

Have a good friend of mine who is a huge Kerry Collins fan, so I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see him near the bottom of this list! Collins had equally as impossible assignment as Tony Eason did against the Bears.

Going against Ray Lewis and the Ravens in SB 35, Collins went 15-39 for 112 yards and four INTs.

One one-time Raiders QB deserves another. Gannon had a fantastic career that spanned 18 seasons, and his best years were towards the end with the Raiders, leading the league in passing yards in Oakland’s Super Bowl year of 2002.

Against the Tampa Bay Bucs Gannon had his hands full however, throwing five interceptions, including three pick-six’s.

It started fabulous for Woodley in Super Bowl 17, with a 76-yard TD pass to Jimmy Cefalo to start SB 17. The rest of the day was a far cry from that, 4-13 for only 21 yards after that.

Woodley is one of three former starting Super Bowl QBs now deceased (Steve McNair, Johnny Unitas), which is actually an amazingly low number considering some of the early QBs are starting to get way up in years. Less than ten years after his Super Bowl appearance Woodley underwent a liver transplant and would eventually pass away at age 44.

Hitting on another Miami v. Washington Super Bowl played in the Los Angeles area, the veteran Kilmer could only muster 104 passing yards and three INTs as the Redskins did not score on offense against the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl 7.

Chris Chandler was the ultimate journeyman, playing for seven team (Colts/Bucs/Cards/Oilers/Falcons/Bears/two stints with Rams). By far his best years were in 1997-98 with the A-T-L and averaged 9.65 yards per completion in the ’98 season that culminated with the Falcons lone Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Broncos.

Did not do much against the 49ers in Super Bowl 23, passing for 144 yards and a 46.1 passer rating. The Bengals lone TD came on Stanford Jennings third-quarter kickoff return, which kept the Bengals in the game until the end.

One of the biggest what-ifs in Super Bowl history remains what if Stanley Wilson had not gone on a cocaine binge the night before.

To this day, he still has one of the more unique career paths in football history, starting the 1959 Rose Bowl and the 1963 CFL Grey Cup before leading the Vikings to their Super Bowl IV appearance and later returning to the University of California as head coach.

Most astonishing Super Bowl fact ever: the Niners were 20-point favorites against the Chargers in SB 29 and wound up covering. Humphries racked up some yards in a worthless cause but was picked three times.

Amazing that I went through a dozen QBs before getting to Rex. He wasn’t that bad against the Colts, going 20-28 – but it was a fourth quarter pick-six at the hands of Kelvin Hayden that doomed Chicago’s chances.

Yes, he does have a win on his ledger, as the only QB to lead his team to victory in a relief role as the Colts won Super Bowl V, which somewhat made up for his awful performance v. the Jets (6-17, 71 yards, 3 picks) two years earlier.

Heading into Super Bowl 47, only two QBs started the big game with less seat time as a starting quarterback than Colin Kaepernick – one of them was Ferragamo who had a decent game as the 9-7 (regular season) Rams through a scare into the mighty Steelers in SB 14.

The pride of perennial Division III power Augustana, Ken Anderson became one of the more prolific QBs of the 1970s after coming to the Bengals on the advice of a quarterback coach named Bill Walsh. In 1981 Anderson led the Bengals to the AFC Championship and threw for 300 yards in a losing cause against Bill Walsh’s 49ers in SB 16.

McNabb will probably be in Canton one day, but the waning moments of Super Bowl 39 seemed like Donovan’s career in a nutshell. Was he sick or just shaken up?? Did he throw up?? McNabb did throw for 357 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, but was also picked off three times.

He had a sense of humor about it, even hosting Saturday Night Live after absorbing his third Super Bowl loss and spoofing himself on a faux ‘That Was a Great Moment in My Career’ (spoofing United Way spots the league aired in that era) during Weekend Update.

Needless to say, facing the ’73 Dolphins/’74 Steelers/’76 Raiders was a very tall order. Fran does have the distinction of throwing a completed pass to himself, although he was penalized on the play for throwing the ball a second time after it was batted back to him.

Don’t knock Kelly too much, it’s a lot better to be 0-4 than 0-0 and not even be on this silly list. But Kelly only threw two TDs in those four games v. seven interceptions. Kelly did not complete one of his appearances, as he was knocked out of Super Bowl 27.

Comments

I have no idea how you rank Peyton Manning 4 spots ahead of Drew Brees; especially sinse Brees’ one SB win was against Manning, AND you said it was Manning’s best SB performance, AND Brees was the MVP of that SB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trent Dilfer, the thing he is worst than being an NFL player at, is being an NFL commentator, Baltimore wan in-spite of him not because he was the quarterback, so he should be rated towards the bottom if not the bottom.

Wassup to all my fellow Ravens fam and (UD alumni!!!) ! I found chance to win FREE framed Ravens photo from the Super Bowl – $225 value. The photos on there look tight!!! Check it out at http://www.theRavensPhotos.com
Go Ravens!!!

I have always been a cheese head hater, but putting Favre that far down the list is a crime. Steve young was by far a much better quarterback than the Manning brothers. Staubach was the better quarterback of top Dallas representatives on this list. He had to play against the nastiest defensive line in that era. If they would have gone against any other team than the dreaded Steelers, it would have been Staubach with the four rings. Jerry Rice should almost have his name next to Montana. Those two thought with one brain. Most of the rest of these quarterbacks threw good passes that would have led to touch downs if their receivers were where they were supposed to be.

I couldn’t agree more. I can’t watch ESPN when that idiot starts rambling on and on. I was expecting him to be at the bottom of this poll. Looks almost like they just went off record than actual ability because he was by far the worst quarterback to play in the big game!!!!!!!!!!

this writer doesn’t seem to be able to make his mind up. it’s either how many you won, it’s how you played or if you won at all.. clearly elway had 3 bad s.b. starts, while dilfner and other who did nothing in s.b. wins shouldn’t get credit for the win.

I agree with the writer 100% haven’t you ever watched joe montana play?apparentley not even with the kansas cit chiefs he almost made it to the super bowl and i didn’t see rice in sight. that is why montana was voted the quarterback of the century. there will never be anyone like him and he was fun to watch I also agree with where the mannings are because it also counts how many superbowls they were in which is a feat in its own.

The No.1 QB was a no brainer for the modern NFL (1967 an on). However, I can think of a few QB prior who should be considered. Otto Graham, Y.A Tittle, Frank Ryan, Charle Johnson and Roman Gabriel for a few. These older QB really set the Standard for excitement in the NFL.

Losing QB’s in SB shouldn’t be rank in top 5! Member Aikman had to go through SF to get to the big dance… you memeberrrrr
Its going to be great when the whinners lose today tired of the so called experts saying how great CK and he even hasn’t taken a hit in the big show but today he will and we’re see after how great he is. The kid is going to be great but not today!

And by the way SAPP a Hall of Famer??
You kidding me right but i know its today America!
We have a idiot as a leader
Little Johnny hit .054 sucks in LL but he gets a trophy for participating
And Sapp’s a Hall of Famer??
Continue the trend AMERICA & we’re all SUCK!

You stated,”As Williams was announced as Most Valuable Player, the Washington radio announcers said that they hoped Williams’ day would finally end some of the myths about African-American QBs. A quarter-century later?? Unfortunately some of the stereotypes remain.” I noticed you confirmed this statement by the order of your quarterback ranting. By the way, Jay Schroeder was in for one play. And about the ‘knee scare’, that was real. His performance was heroic. After the game, Doug Williams was placed in a cast from his ankel to knee. My question is how could quarterbacks with one win with lower quarterback rating, less yards and less touchdowns come before Doug Williams. For example, one win quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rogers, Brett Farve, Len Dawson please understand I like and enjoy watching forementioned quarterbacks especially Farve, however you did say Super Bowl performance not career performances. Again, you have made your poorly worded statement true by the order of your Super Bowl quarterback ranting.

It’s about time someone recognizes that Terry Bradshaw has FOUR (4) Rings and ZERO losses. It USED to be that sports figures were graded on WINS not STATS.
If you win you are better than a guy that loses. When did that change in AMERICA??? Montana is #1 and Bradshaw #2. Then Aikman is 3-0…he is third. Real simple. And if you are 2-3 in SB’s, you cannot be ahead of guys with better SB records. Winning is what counts….thats why we keep score. BTW….I applaud you for ranking Marino where he SHOULD BE……way down the list. He NEVER won anything….in HS, College or the Pro’s….why is he such a legend when he won NOTHING????

Great list. And yes the top 2 are correct. Joe Montana was unbelievable in his performances and Bradhaw led his team to victories doing what was necessary to win. Winning it is all that matters and they both knew how to do it!!!!!!!!!!

The author seems ignorant of the fact that rules were changed drastically over the years to pump up passing stats. In the early Super Bowls corners could bump the receivers until the ball was thrown, offensive linemen could not extend their arms (or they would be called for holding), hashmarks were wider, leading to a lopsided field, kickoffs were from the 40, goalposts were at the goal line (leading to more field goal attempts rather than end-zone passes). Also fumbles were called even if the player hit the ground, spearing with the helmet was pretty common and the QB had no special protection from the rules.

As a result of these rule changes passer rating have gone much higher. Add in the evolution of the game (like standard 3 receiver sets, short timing patterns) brought about by these rule changes and you can see the league got what it wanted, more passing yards, more touchdown passes and higher scoring. So why would anyone compare Joe Namath or Len Dawson’s stats to
those of quarterbacks who played in the offense-first era? This is typical of the non-thinking we get from the media today.

Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors, for one you do not use all three H tags in your post, also I notice that you are not using bold or italics properly in your SEO optimization. On-Page SEO means more now than ever since the new Google update: Panda. No longer are backlinks and simply pinging or sending out a RSS feed the key to getting Google PageRank or Alexa Rankings, You now NEED On-Page SEO. So what is good On-Page SEO?First your keyword must appear in the title.Then it must appear in the URL.You have to optimize your keyword and make sure that it has a nice keyword density of 3-5% in your article with relevant LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing). Then you should spread all H1,H2,H3 tags in your article.Your Keyword should appear in your first paragraph and in the last sentence of the page. You should have relevant usage of Bold and italics of your keyword.There should be one internal link to a page on your blog and you should have one image with an alt tag that has your keyword….wait there’s even more Now what if i told you there was a simple WordPress plugin that does all the On-Page SEO, and automatically for you? That’s right AUTOMATICALLY, just watch this 4minute video for more information at. Seo Plugin

Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors, for one you do not use all three H tags in your post, also I notice that you are not using bold or italics properly in your SEO optimization. On-Page SEO means more now than ever since the new Google update: Panda. No longer are backlinks and simply pinging or sending out a RSS feed the key to getting Google PageRank or Alexa Rankings, You now NEED On-Page SEO. So what is good On-Page SEO?First your keyword must appear in the title.Then it must appear in the URL.You have to optimize your keyword and make sure that it has a nice keyword density of 3-5% in your article with relevant LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing). Then you should spread all H1,H2,H3 tags in your article.Your Keyword should appear in your first paragraph and in the last sentence of the page. You should have relevant usage of Bold and italics of your keyword.There should be one internal link to a page on your blog and you should have one image with an alt tag that has your keyword….wait there’s even more Now what if i told you there was a simple WordPress plugin that does all the On-Page SEO, and automatically for you? That’s right AUTOMATICALLY, just watch this 4minute video for more information at. Seo Plugin

Hello Web Admin, I noticed that your On-Page SEO is is missing a few factors, for one you do not use all three H tags in your post, also I notice that you are not using bold or italics properly in your SEO optimization. On-Page SEO means more now than ever since the new Google update: Panda. No longer are backlinks and simply pinging or sending out a RSS feed the key to getting Google PageRank or Alexa Rankings, You now NEED On-Page SEO. So what is good On-Page SEO?First your keyword must appear in the title.Then it must appear in the URL.You have to optimize your keyword and make sure that it has a nice keyword density of 3-5% in your article with relevant LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing). Then you should spread all H1,H2,H3 tags in your article.Your Keyword should appear in your first paragraph and in the last sentence of the page. You should have relevant usage of Bold and italics of your keyword.There should be one internal link to a page on your blog and you should have one image with an alt tag that has your keyword….wait there’s even more Now what if i told you there was a simple WordPress plugin that does all the On-Page SEO, and automatically for you? That’s right AUTOMATICALLY, just watch this 4minute video for more information at. Seo Plugin

Oh my goodness! a great post dude. Thanks Nevertheless My business is experiencing problem with ur rss . Do not know why Unable to sign up to it. Can there be any person finding identical rss issue? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine
but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!

It appears like some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This may be a issue with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thank you

Hello, I believe your blog may be having browser compatibility problems.
When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet
Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a
quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful site!

I simply want to mention I’m all new to blogging and truly savored your blog site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your site . You surely come with impressive well written articles. Regards for sharing with us your website.

I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.

Hi there I am so thrilled I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I
am here now and would just like to say kudos for a incredible post
and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment
but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have
time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb job.

You’re in reality an excellent website owner.
The website loading pace is amazing. It appears that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
Furthermore, the contents are a work of genius. you’ve done a wonderful task on this subject!

you’re truly a good webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible.
It seems that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork.
you’ve done a excellent task on this topic!

I’m pretty pleased to uncover this site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to look at new things in your blog.

Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be
book-marking and checking back frequently!

I was very happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and I have you book-marked to look at new stuff on your web site.

I’m impressed, I have to admit. Truly rarely do I encounter a weblog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you could have hit the nail about the head. Your idea is outstanding; ab muscles an element that inadequate people are speaking intelligently about. We are delighted i came across this inside my look for something regarding this.

Fortunately, while using Internet for email doesn’t suggest your email is trapped on a serversomewhere, accessible only when you’ve got a web connection. Scrolldown toward the bottom of the page and visit the tab labeled“Sign Up.Outlook Express is a message and news-reading client developed by Microsoft. Check to determine that your entire contacts are actually added in your new Gmail account. Enter an alternate email address or click the url just below the email field to go with a security question and answer instead. Hotmail Plus is surely an upgrade to Microsoft Hotmail, MSN Messenger, or Windows Live email accounts. msn.com hotmail Outlook Express is a message and news-reading client developed by Microsoft. Check to determine that your entire contacts are actually added in your new Gmail account. Enter an alternate email address or click the url just below the email field to go with a security question and answer instead. Hotmail Plus is surely an upgrade to Microsoft Hotmail, MSN Messenger, or Windows Live email accounts.

I was excited to find this website. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new things in your website.

I was very happy to uncover this web site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you book-marked to check out new stuff in your web site.

I’m pretty pleased to uncover this page. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to see new stuff on your blog.

Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful website.|

I’m very happy to find this website. I need to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and I have you book marked to check out new information in your blog.

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I don’t even understand how I finished up here, but I believed this publish was once good. I do not realize who you’re but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger when you aren’t already. Cheers!|

I simply want to share it with you that I am new to having a blog and really valued your report. More than likely I am inclined to save your blog post . You indeed have fantastic article blog posts. Be Thankful For it for sharing with us all of your web webpage

Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Many thanks|

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I merely want to notify you that I am new to putting up a blog and really loved your information. More than likely I am prone to store your blog post . You truly have extraordinary article blog posts. Truly Appreciate it for telling with us your very own site post

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I simply need to show you that I am new to wordpress blogging and undeniably admired your webpage. Very possible I am probably to store your blog post . You indeed have superb article content. Be Thankful For it for telling with us all of your site post

I merely need to inform you you that I am new to putting up a blog and pretty much admired your site. Quite possibly I am most likely to bookmark your blog post . You truly have magnificent article information. Love it for telling with us your current internet write-up

Hey there. I discovered your web site by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a related subject, your website got here up. It looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hello there. I discovered your web site by way of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable subject, your site came up. It appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I simply hope to advise you that I am new to wordpress blogging and utterly admired your webpage. Most likely I am probably to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have extraordinary article information. Truly Appreciate it for share-out with us your main url document

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?